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1961 (11) TMI 2 - SC - CustomsWhether the Customs authorities are entitled to the custody of records seized by them under a search warrant issued under Section 172 of the Sea Customs Act, and the Magistrate cannot deny them the right to carry away the documents for their scrutiny? Whether the order of the Chief Presidency Magistrate gave inadequate facilities to the Customs authorities for inspection and scrutiny of the documents? Held that:- We must discharge the order of the learned Judge that the documents be handed over to the Customs authorities. The Magistrate is right in keeping these documents in his immediate custody; but we must direct that due facilities for inspection should be afforded to the Customs authorities in the shape of a separate room and suitable furniture and time extended beyond the ordinary Court hours. Inspection should be carried on in the presence of a Court official, and adequate privacy for questioning witnesses etc., should be afforded to the Customs authorities, whenever they find it necessary. In our opinion, if these facilities are granted—and we direct that they be granted—a period of four months from the date of this order reaches the Magistrate should prove enough. We, therefore, set aside the order for the handing over the documents to the Customs authorities, and make a direction for the disposal of the records, as stated above. We may add that this order does not apply to the 63 documents, which the Customs authorities have already agreed to return to the party.
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